Fanny & Alexander

Oxford School of Drama, May 2024

It was my pleasure to return to Oxford school of Drama to work on the adaptation by Stephen Beresford of the 1982 film Fanny and Alexander by Ingmar Bergman.

The film script is semi-autobiographical where young Alexander is based on Bergman himself with other characters drawn from his family. The work was originally conceived as a television mini series which spanned 312 minutes. A 188 minute cut version was created later for cinematic release and when released received universal critical acclaim. 

In adapting the original work for the stage Stephen Beresford did a wonderful job in creating a world seen through the eyes of the two children at the centre of the family: Alexander and his sister Fanny. The work is both worldly and other worldly in which ghosts, spirits and the physical all coexist. Although the characters are anchored in a concrete time and place the text moves effortlessly between the worlds of natural and supernatural, document and dream.

It was a thrilling challenge to try and capture all the nuance and complexity of both the original and the stage adaptation in this epic family drama with the post graduate students in the middle of their one year of study.

Student Reflection

Kristine's process is honest, authentic and moving. Having spent an extended period of time under her direction at drama school, I found her practice integral to my development as an artist and as an individual of Iranian heritage. The work was demanding, yet playful, provoking many difficult internal conversations surrounding the craft. It was Kristine's encouragement for me to explore my work in Farsi which sparked a complete overhaul in my understanding of the work. Her approach enlightened me on the importance of connecting to the language I first grew up speaking and hearing to unlock all of my potential as a creative, inviting all aspects of who I am to help me explore text. Often, in a given context where I felt I had to mould myself into what might be expected of me, Kristine sought truth above all else and encouraged me to connect to something internal, rather than external. I have seen the process work on fellow cast members and it has been a privilege to watch these actors transform through Kristine's direction.  

 Kristine taught me to trust myself, my story and my unique attributes. Above all else, she has taught me that the work should always be done with enjoyment, willingness and a smile - these are the only tools required to engage in her practice.